IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The most digitally advanced state governments have been singled out in the 2004 Digital States Survey, and Arkansas is among the nation's best. Arkansas was ranked ninth overall in the study, which examines best practices, policies, and progress made by state governments to streamline operations and better serve citizens and businesses through the effective use of technology. "We like to be a national leader in all that we do," said Governor Mike Huckabee. "Statewide collaboration and the wise use of information technology is more than a priority for Arkansas. It's standard operating procedure. Electronic government has given Arkansans more access to their state government than ever before. It has allowed us to increase efficiencies, reduce internal costs, and enhance services. It's nice to have our efforts recognized in the 2004 Digital States Survey."

The sixth Digital States Survey assessed state government technology achievement in four broad areas - service delivery, architecture and infrastructure, collaboration, and leadership. In March 2004, all state governors and chief information officers were invited to participate in the survey, and more than 60 unique measurements were used to determine the final rankings. The study is compiled by the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.

"I am personally very proud of Arkansas' debut in the top ten of the Digital State Survey," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. "I have watched Governor Huckabee and his staff build an impressive infrastructure and an array of citizen- and business-facing services over the last few years. His vision and commitment to this area are finally paying off. They have made an impressive rise to the top."

The Arkansas portal is emerging as one of the nation's leading state Web sites. In 2003, it was ranked fifth in the 2003 Best of the Web competition for state government Web site excellence.

Arkansas offers 300 interactive government services through its official state Web site at www.Arkansas.gov. The portal supports more than 1.4 million visitors per month and processed over two million transactions in 2003. To maximize taxpayer return on investment, Arkansas uses a self-funded solution to provide eGovernment services at no upfront cost to taxpayers. The state's official Web site is managed by Arkansas Information Consortium, a Little Rock-based subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).

"NIC congratulates Arkansas for its achievement in the 2004 Digital States Survey," said Harry Herington, NIC's Chief Operating Officer. "Improving business and citizen services and streamlining government operations are at the heart of the Digital States Survey, and Arkansas continues to leverage technology to get results in a cost-effective manner. We are honored to help Arkansas deliver essential eGovernment portal services through the self-funded model."

Earlier this week, the top ten digital states were honored at a ceremony in Seattle in conjunction with the National Governors Association annual meeting.

About Arkansas.gov

Arkansas.gov is the official Web site of the state of Arkansas (www.Arkansas.gov) and a service of the Information Network of Arkansas. The Information Network of Arkansas is a collaborative effort between the state of Arkansas and the private sector that helps Arkansas government entities Web-enable their information services. Arkansas.gov was built and is marketed, operated, and maintained by Arkansas Information Consortium, a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC.

Quelle: Business Wire, 22.07.2004